Washinotoh



No. 607,558. Patented July l9, I898.

R. F. WALLS.

BRAKE OPERATING MECHANISM.

(Applcat on fled A11 25 1891) {No Model.)

FFrcE.

PATENT RICHARD F. YVALLS, OF PIS GAI'I, WEST VIRGINIA.

- BRAKE-OPERATING MECHANISM.

SPEGIFICATIONforming part of-Letters Patent No. 607,558, dated July 19, 1898.

Application filed Augu t 25, 1897.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RICHARD F. WALLS,

residing at Pisgah, in the county of Preston and State of WVest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Brake-Operating Mechanism, of which the following is a specification.

- This invention relates generally to a vehicle-brake, and more particularly to an improved means for operating the brake-rod which connects with the beam and applies the shoes.

The object of this invention is to provide a cheap, simple, durable, and efficient form of brake-operating mechanism which can be applied to any of the forms of brakes now in use.

Another object is to provide abrake-operating mechanism which will easily and effectively apply the brake in a steady and even manner, thereby avoiding the sudden jerk or jar incident to the application of the ordinary brake-lever. I

A still further object is to provide a brakeoperating mechanism in which there is always sufficient friction between the operating parts to hold them in any desired position, thereby avoiding the use of pawls and ratchets or the thumb-latch and tooth-segment now so commonly used in connection with brake-operating levers.

A still further object is to provide a brakeoperating mechanism in which a maximum throw of the brake-rod can be obtained with the expenditure of a minimum cost.

A still further object is to provide a brakeoperating mechanism which is simple and durable in the detail construction of its parts, so that there is no danger whatever of the device getting out of order, and a still further object is to provide adevice which cangbe quickly and easily adjusted to the throw of the brake-rod.

With these various objects in view my invention consists in the peculiar construction of the various parts and in their novel combination and arrangement, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a view showing the in- .from the wagon.

vention as applied and used upon a wagon.

Serial No. 649,513. (No model.)

Fig. 2 is an enlargeddetail perspective View of the brake-operating mechanism detached Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a sectional View on the line 44 of Fig. 2. Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show details of the various parts detached.

In carrying out my invention I employ a flat base-plate A, having extensions A at each end, which are perforated at A for the passage of the bolt A which connects the base-plate to the side of the wagon or other vehicle. Parallel horizontal lugs or ears B are formed at the upper and lower edges of the'base-plate upon the forward face thereof, said lugs being perforated, as shown at B, to permit the insertion of an operating-shaft C, which passes through a tubular shaft D,

mounted between the ears or lugs B, said tubular shaft having a worm-screw E formed thereon, said tubular shaft D and operatingshaft 0 being connected by means of a suitable key or gib, so that by rotatingthe shaft Othe worm will be operated, and in order to so rotate said shaft I provide a crank 'O at the upper end thereof, which is within easy reach of the driver.

A short distance to one side of the lugs B is formed an aperture F, surrounded by a boss F upon the forward side ofthe plate A, and fixed in said aperture and boss is a stub-shaft G, upon which is mounted a worm-gear H, said worm-gear having a collar H, and upon the opposite side is a collar H having laterally-projectin g lugs H The collar II and the annular boss F hold the worm-gear in such a position that it will always positively engage the worm-shaft, so that by rotating the crank and shaft the wormshaft will be rotated, and likewise the wormgear II. A lever-arm I is also loosely mounted upon the stub-shaft G and has a collar I upon the side adjacent to the worm-gear, which collar is formed with recesses I adapted to receive thejproj ectin g lugs H and thereby form a rigid'conn'ection between the worm-gear H and lever-arm I, so that upon movement of the worm the lever-arm will also be operated to throw the brake-operating rod K either forward or backward, as desired, said rod K being attached to the upper or outer end of as shown at G, and retainer-nut G2 is screwed thereon in order to hold the worm-gear and lever-arm in their proper position, it being of course understood that the lever-arm and worm-gear are loosely mounted upon the shaft in order to turn freely thereon when the crankshaft is operated. It will also be noticed that the worm shaft and gear are comparatively small in size, and thereby operate in a quick manner to throw the lever-arm in either a backward or forward position, and my improved form of brake mechanism can be connected with any construction of brake beam and rod, inasmuch as the lower arm is capable of being moved any desired amount in either direction, and it is clear that the brake can be applied by either giving the rod abackward or forward movement or a push or pull, and in order to release said brake the operation will of course be the reverse. It will also be noticed that the collar 1 upon the inner face of the lever-arm is considerably larger than any of the other collars, the purpose being to throw the operating-lever as far outward as possible in order to give said leverarm and brake-rod a free sweep without interfering in the least with any of the operating mechanisms.

Inasmuch as the mechanism herein described is attached to the side of the vehicle at a point above the brake-beam, it is clear that the brake-rod will be inclined, and there will therefore be a tension or weight upon the lever-arm I, which tension, no matter whether a push or a pull, will always keep the wormgear in close contact with the worm-shaft, so that there will always be a positive engagement between the worm shaft and gear, thereby preventing any possible lost motion, as

each turn of the hand-crank is bound to move the worm-shaft, and consequently the wormgear and lever-arm.

By making the worm shaft and gear comparatively small and compact and the leverarm comparatively long or extended it will be seen that by a slight rotation of the wormshaft the lever-arm will be given considerable of a sweep, thereby applying the brake in the quickest manner possible. It is also clear that the application of the brake is steady and certain, and it is not accompanied by any jerk or jar so common in the application of a brake operated by a lever, and in releasing the brake the action is equally as steady.

It will of course be understood that the stubshaft could be made integral with the main or base plate, if so desired, and the wormgear and lever-arm could also be made integral; but for the sake of cheapness and also to permit the parts to be readily replaced I prefer to construct them as herein shown and described. It will also be understood that instead of the crank C, mounted upon the end of the shaft (J, I can employ a hand-wheel in case it should be more convenient, and it will also be understood that certain other details can be changed or modified without departing from the broad spirit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An improved brake operating means, comprising a base-plate adapted to be attached to the side of the vehicle, and having bearing-lugs, a stub-shaft, the worm-gear arranged between the lugs and having an operating-shaft and crank-handle, the worm-gear mounted upon the stub-shaft, and having laterally-projecting lugs, the lever-arm, mounted also upon the stub-sl1aft and having recesses to receive the laterally-projecting lugs of the worm-shaft, all arranged substantially as shown and described.

2. An improved brake operating means comprising a base-plate having bearing-lugs and a stub-shaft, the worm-shaft mounted between the lugs, the operating-shaft passing through the lugs and Worm-shaft and having a crank at its upper end, the annular boss formed upon the plate around the stub-shaft, the worm-gear having collars upon both faces, the lever-arm having a collar upon its inner face, means for connecting the lever-arm and worm-gear, and the retaining-nut arranged upon the end of the stub-shaft,substantially as shown and described.

3. An improved operating means, comprising a base-plate having the bearing-lugs integral therewith, a stub-shaft mounted upon said plate and having an annular boss surrounding the same, the operating-shaft passing through saidlugs and the worm-shaft, the crank-handle at the upper end of said shaft, the worm-gear having collars upon both faces, the collar of the outer face having laterallyprojecting lugs, the operating-lever having a collar upon its inner face, which collar has recesses to receive the lugs of the worm-gear, and the retaining-nut, all arranged substantially as shown and described.

RICHARD F. WALLS.

Witnesses:

E. B. WALLS, A. W. GRIBBLE.

IIO 

